MPs are not saints, says Standards Committee chair

In a recent interview with The House magazine, Alberto Costa, the newly elected chair of the Standards Committee, expressed that the public should not expect Members of Parliament (MPs) to be 'saints.' He emphasized that while MPs are held to a higher standard and must abide by a strict Code of Conduct, realistically, they are human and susceptible to making errors. Costa stated, 'To err is human,' implying that minor breaches of conduct should not be met with severe punishments, which could undermine public trust in MPs. Costa highlighted that the strict guidelines that MPs must follow include regulations surrounding lobbying, receiving payments for parliamentary advice, and declaring non-parliamentary financial interests. Breaching these rules can result in investigations by different parliamentary bodies, with the Standards Committee determining appropriate sanctions. He expressed concern over the severity of punishments for what he described as administrative errors, referencing the case of Margaret Ferrier, a former Scottish National Party MP who faced suspension after breaching Covid lockdown rules, an action Costa deemed as somewhat extreme. Throughout the interview, Costa pointed out that the intention behind having higher standards is to enhance trust between MPs and the public. However, he questioned the effectiveness of public apologies for minor infractions, asserting that a more balanced approach could facilitate a better understanding of the human element of parliamentary work. He argued that in typical workplaces, minor breaches often lead to private discussions rather than public humiliation. Finally, Costa suggested that the standards process could benefit from adjustments to focus only on serious transgressions, signaling a potential shift towards more leniency for trivial mistakes in Parliament. He mentioned that issues such as bullying could be handled privately to protect the reputation and integrity of MPs while still addressing the concerns raised by such complaints. Costa's comments reflect a broader discussion on how to manage behaviors and expectations within the political structure, hinting at the need for reforms in the standards enforcement mechanism.